New Hartford Board of Education, parents confront Dattco on security issues after 'adult friend' of driver let on bus

NEW HARTFORD >> More than 70 people packed New Hartford School District's Ann Antolini School for what felt like an intervention with district's transportation contractor, Dattco Inc. A public meeting with Dattco's chief operating officer became the district's top agenda item after a company bus driver was allowed to bring a male "adult friend" on board during her route.

On Feb. 21, a female bus driver asked New Hartford terminal managers, and was granted permission, to pick up a friend while driving home children. Dattco COO Cliff Gibson called the incident, "clearly poor judgment."

Gibson said he'd come to the meeting, "to restore confidence in Dattco," and said the company would, "not shrink from our contractual or moral obligations."

Advertisement

"Policy memos about who is allowed to ride the school buses," were sent out to employees, said Gibson. Additionally, the employees involved received, "discipline and corrective action," but Gibson declined to say of what kind, calling it a "personnel matter." He did however confirm that the manager and driver involved still work for Dattco.

Not only were the board and parents apparently displeased at the incident, one parent said the incident, "put fear in me," but the incident was not the community's first complaint about Dattco service.

"We've got examples of rides being late or people being told to cross a highway. Do you have drivers that self-report that?" asked Board of Education member Sue Lundin.

"I'd like to give you an honest answer: yes and no," said Gibson, saying some drivers would not report incidents if they feared punishment. "We've got drivers out there by themselves," Gibson said.

Board of Education Chair Bryan Keilty said the district has experienced, "really, a lot of problems," with Dattco in the 2012-2013 school year. "Seems like we've spent an inordinate amount of time focusing on these issues," Keilty said.

"It's probably attributable to polishing up the diligence," said Gibson, who said he was, "bringing in some of the most experienced terminal managers," for the New Hartford bus terminal.

"Maybe you're too big for New Hartford," Keilty said. Dattco owns and operates 897 school buses and 113 mini-school buses in Connecticut and Rhode Island, according to the federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

"I've heard from numerous people, that when they complained to Dattco that they were treated as if their concerns had no merit," said New Hartford Selectman and parent, Alesia Kennerson. She continued that, "I further suggest that this is the last contract that the school board ever enters into with Dattco."

Nevertheless, Gibson said he wanted to, "right this ship." Attorney for the New Hartford Board of Education, Rebecca Santiago, said it didn't appear that Dattco wanted a "contractual dispute" with the board. Santiago suggested that Dattco inform the board in writing of when it can expect new management to come to the New Hartford terminal.

Superintendent Philip O'Reilly suggested to the board that Dattco return in one month, for the New Hartford Board of Education's next meeting.